NASHVILLE - Senior Whitney Hanley's jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime gave Austin Peay State University women's basketball team a 58-56 victory against Belmont, in non-conference action, Sunday afternoon, at Curb Event Center.

Austin Peay (3-8), which snapped an eight-game losing streak with the win, overcame a nearly 15-minute stretch without a field goal. The Lady Govs led 13-12 on Hanley's three-pointer with 10:02 left in the first half. However, Austin Peay would not make another field goal until freshman Shira Buley's layup at the 15:45 mark of the second half.

Belmont (2-9) was unable to do much in the first half while Austin Peay struggled, building only a five-point, 24-19, halftime advantage. Sophomore Nicole Olszewski helped APSU remain within sight by making all six of her free throws, the team's only points in the half's final 10 minutes.

The Bruins were able to manufacture an offensive burst to start the second half, opening the period with 12 straight points. Belmont made its first five shots of the frame, including four layups, to build a 17-point, 36-19, lead with 17:42 left.

Buley's layup ended the Belmont run but it would take another three minutes before Austin Peay began its charge. The Lady Govs scored 13 consecutive points, including four points each by Nicole Olszewski and junior Meghan Bussabarger, over a four-minute span. Junior Leslie Martinez capped the burst with a three-pointer at the 9:56 mark and Belmont's lead was trimmed to three points, 41-38, with 9:56 remaining.

Austin Peay closed to within one points twice over the next three minutes but took its first lead, 46-45, since the first half on Martinez' jumper with 6:19 left.

Belmont scored the game's next seven points and led by six with 3:08 remaining. Yet Austin Peay scored the half's final six points, tying the game at 52-52, with 1:24 remaining on another Martinez jumper.

Neither team scored the frame's remainder. Belmont had one final chance at the horn, but Martinez blocked an attempted three-pointer to force overtime.

Both team's had a lead in the extra period, Belmont tying the game at 56-56 with 1:54 remaining on a pair of Katie Carroll free throws. That would be the period's final score until Hanley's final shot. Belmont had an opportunity with a set out-of-bounds play with 16 seconds remaining but was called for an offensive foul under the basket.

Hanley brought the ball up the court on the ensuing play and faked a drive to the basket. Her step back jumper rattled around the rim before falling in, giving APSU the lead. Hanley then intercepted the Bruins in-bound pass after a timeout to secure the win.

Nicole Olszewski led all scorers with a season-high 16-point effort. Hanley added 15 points, six rebounds and five steals. Martinez chipped in 11 points but also had eight rebounds and six steals.

Austin Peay shot just 23.1 percent (6-of-26) in the first half but recovered to shoot 50 percent (17-of-34) in the second half and overtime combined.

Alyssa Visbeen led Belmont with 14 points. Haley Nelson added an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Belmont had a consistent offensive effort, finishing the game making 41.5 percent (22-of-53) of its shots, but had just two field-goal attempts in overtime.

Austin Peay returns home for a quick two-game, two-day home stand - beginning with a 7 p.m., Tuesday contest against Florida A&M. The Lady Govs then wrap up their pre-Christmas slate with a 5:15 p.m., Wednesday contest against Alabama A&M.